Porter aims to make amends

George Porter is likely to be back in AFC Wimbledon’s squad tomorrow and the young winger is determined to show that he’s learned from the experiences of a difficult past month.

During an interview that featured in Thursday’s Southend programme, the 21-year-old, who is on loan from Burnley, spoke about recapturing his flying early season form after being dropped by Neal Ardley and missing the last match due to suspension.

Sometimes I channel that in the wrong way. The manager has told me that I am a talented player, but this could be my downfall. I need to take a minute and think about things before I react. I have fallen below my own standards and I think that’s why the manager decided to drop me. That is fair enough. “Not getting involved with referees is something I need to improve upon,” said Porter. “Sometimes I lose my temper, but it’s because I care.

“We have beaten some good teams this season, sides who have gone onto better things. We just need to find as bit more consistency and start playing to our full potential.

“It’s been a mixed time for me so far. I know that we can do better and the rest of the boys do too. The manager has tried to use my strengths in training and in games. I like the training here and the way that the manager wants to play football. I think I need to improve my work-rate and track back better.”

Porter, who was given his big chance in the Football League when Leyton Orient signed him from Ryman Premier outfit Cray Wanderers at the age of 17, certainly feels privileged to be playing for the Dons during his season-long loan. He learned first-hand all about the club’s rise through the leagues when he attended a Bromley versus AFC Wimbledon match as a teenager.

“Everyone knows about Wimbledon going down and then coming back up, but it was strange to watch the club playing at such a low level against Bromley,” Porter added. “I remember that they had so much more support than Bromley on the day. I think at any level support is one of the main factors at a game. When you have a lot of fans travelling to away games it is great to see.

“It’s been a mixed time for me so far. I know that we can do better and the rest of the boys do too. The manager has tried to use my strengths in training and in games. I like the training here and the way that the manager wants to play football. I think I need to improve my work-rate and track back better. I had a call from Sean Dyche (Burnley manager) a few weeks ago asking me how I was getting on and it is good that he is taking an interest in me.”

“I need to get a few goals at Wimbledon. I have been doing it in training, but not on match days and I cannot tell you how annoying that has been! I have been telling ‘Smudga’ that if he gets a chance to put me in then he has to do it so that I can finally score!”

for a taste of what’s to come.Dons Twitter Tomorrow’s Plymouth Argyle programme (price £3) features Barry Fuller on the front cover and includes an extensive interview with Sammy Moore. Click on